AB1340 CRYOFIBRINOGENEMIA IN PRECOVID-19 AND COVID-19 ERA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN A SINGLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Authors: C. Lasa, M. E. Peiró Callizo, J. Irure-Ventura, M. Lopez-Hoyos, M. Renuncio García, A. Martínez Gutiérrez, C. Secada-Gómez, A. Sanchez-López, R. Blanco
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Cryofibrinogenemia (CF) is an under-recognized syndrome due to the lack of definitive criteria and the rarity of disease. CF may be essential or secondary to autoimmune, neoplastic or infections conditions <b>[1]</b>. Skin manifestations, mainly ulceration, are the most common and may be a pseudovasculitic syndrome. During COVID-19 era the number of cases with skin lesions get increased. Further studies are needed to characterize this association between CF and SARS-CoV-2 <b>[2].</b> <h3>Objectives</h3> <b>A</b>) To evaluate the frequency of CF during preCOVID era and COVID era. <b>B</b>) To describe the clinical profile of CF and the mainly characteristics of patients in both study groups. <h3>Methods</h3> Observational single-center study in northern Spain University Hospital of 134 patients with at least one positive cryofibrinogen determination, between January 2017 and March 2020 (preCOVID era) and March 2020 and December 2022 (COVID era). CF diagnosis was confirmed accordingly to reported criteria <b>[3].</b> Clinical conditions, laboratory parameters, including immunological and serological analysis were collected from all patients. Blood was collected in citrated tubes for cryofibrinogen detection. Stadistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean±SD. Qualitative variables were compared using chi-squared test. Quantitative variables were compared using the student's <i>t</i>. <h3>Results</h3> CF was confirmed in 19/134 (14.2%) patients with at least one positive cryofibrinogen test determination (5 in preCOVID era; 14 in COVID era). Patients of COVID-19 era were more frequently male (64.3% to 40%) and younger (43.6 to 60.6 years). Main features are shown in <b>Table 1</b>. In preCOVID era most of cases were essential CF (60%) and in COVID era most of them were secondary ones (64.3%). The 33.3% of secondary CF were mainly due to COVID. Cutaneous manifestations were similar in both subgroups, especially as purpuric macules (perniosis-like) in acral distributions. Antiaggregant drugs and corticosteroids were used more frequently in preCOVID era. The comparative incidence after and before COVID is shown in <b>Figure 1.</b> From patients with positive cryofibrinogen test, a greater proportion in preCOVID had a CF. <h3>Conclusion</h3> CF is a rare disorder with a low prevalence. This study showed the change in the trend of CF subtypes, probably due to the influence of the COVID infection. In COVID era the number of positive cryofibrinogen test had envolved due to SARS-CoV2 infection, CF cases were not increased. Clinical expression of the disease has not changed in both groups. <h3>References</h3> [1]Grada A. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017 Feb;18(1):97-104. [2]Gómez-Fernández C. Int J Dermatol. 2020 Dec;59(12):1475-1484. [3]Grada A, Falanga V. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017 Feb;18(1):97-104. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Carmen Lasa: None declared, Maria Enriqueta Peiró Callizo: None declared, Juan Irure-Ventura: None declared, Marcos Lopez-Hoyos: None declared, Mónica Renuncio García: None declared, Adrián Martínez Gutiérrez: None declared, Carmen Secada-Gómez: None declared, Amparo Sanchez-López: None declared, Ricardo Blanco Speakers bureau: Ricardo Blanco Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Pfizer, Roche, lilly, Bristol-Myers, Janssen, Galapagos and MSD, Consultant of: Abbvie, Pfizer, Roche, lilly, Bristol-Myers, Janssen and MSD, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, MSD, novartis and Roche.